With Volatile Signal Storage Device Patents (Class 365/185.08)
  • Patent number: 8194451
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell and arrays of memory cells are provided In at least one embodiment, a memory cell includes a substrate having a top surface, the substrate having a first conductivity type selected from a p-type conductivity type and an n-type conductivity type; a first region having a second conductivity type selected from the p-type and n-type conductivity types, the second conductivity type being different from the first conductivity type, the first region being formed in the substrate and exposed at the top surface; a second region having the second conductivity type, the second region being formed in the substrate, spaced apart from the first region and exposed at the top surface; a buried layer in the substrate below the first and second regions, spaced apart from the first and second regions and having the second conductivity type; a body region formed between the first and second regions and the buried layer, the body region having the first conductivity type; a gate positioned between the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 8194438
    Abstract: Non-volatile static random access memory (nvSRAM) that has a six transistor static random access memory (6T SRAM) cell electrically connected to a non-volatile random access memory (nvRAM) cell. The nvRAM cell has first and second variable magnetic resistors and first, second and third transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Yongchul Ahn, Antoine Khoueir, Yong Lu, Hongyue Liu
  • Patent number: 8194452
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory system is described with novel architecture coupling nonvolatile storage memory with random access volatile memory. New commands are included to enhance the read and write performance of the memory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: G. R. Mohan Rao
  • Patent number: 8180981
    Abstract: System and method for using flash memory in a memory hierarchy. A computer system includes a processor coupled to a memory hierarchy via a memory controller. The memory hierarchy includes a cache memory, a first memory region of random access memory coupled to the memory controller via a first buffer, and an auxiliary memory region of flash memory coupled to the memory controller via a flash controller. The first buffer and the flash controller are coupled to the memory controller via a single interface. The memory controller receives a request to access a particular page in the first memory region. The processor detects a page fault corresponding to the request and in response, invalidates cache lines in the cache memory that correspond to the particular page, flushes the invalid cache lines, and swaps a page from the auxiliary memory region to the first memory region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjiv Kapil, Ricky C. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 8178405
    Abstract: A memory cell device has a bottom electrode and a top electrode, a plug of memory material in contact with the bottom electrode, and a cup-shaped conductive member having a rim that contacts the top electrode and an opening in the bottom that contacts the memory material. Accordingly, the conductive path in the memory cells passes from the top electrode through the conductive cup-shaped member, and through the plug of phase change material to the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, ChiaHua Ho, Kuang Yeu Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8179727
    Abstract: Multiple bits are programmed in a NAND flash memory device by programming a memory cell with an LSB; storing the LSB into a cache register from the memory cell; programming the memory cell with an MSB that is stored in a main register; storing a data bit into the main register from the memory cell during a first verifying operation; storing a data bit into the cache register from the memory cell during a second verifying operation; and transferring the data bit to the main register from the cache register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung-Gon Kim
  • Publication number: 20120113718
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a high voltage region providing storage of a nonvolatile bit, and a low voltage region providing at least partial storage of a volatile bit. The high and low voltage regions are isolated from one another and formed by a plurality of transistors in series between a current source and a bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andreas Scade, Stefan Guenther
  • Patent number: 8174886
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell; a first region in electrical contact with said floating body region; a second region in electrical contact with said floating body region and spaced apart from said first region; a gate positioned between said first and second regions; and a back-bias region configured to inject charge into or extract charge out of said floating body region to maintain said state of the memory cell. Application of back bias to the back bias region offsets charge leakage out of the floating body and performs a holding operation on the cell. The cell may be a multi-level cell. Arrays of memory cells are disclosed for making a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuniarto Widjaja, Zvi Or-Bach
  • Patent number: 8174858
    Abstract: Systems, memory modules and methods of configuring systems including memory modules are provided. The memory modules include device parameters specifically corresponding to memory devices of the memory module. The device parameters may be retrieved from a database, and the system may be configured in accordance with the device parameters retrieved from the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Scott Schaefer, Todd D. Farrell
  • Patent number: 8159886
    Abstract: A memory device having a single or a plurality of memory chips includes a memory part (control register, SPD memory unit) inside each memory chip, which memory part stores control data concerning the memory chip. The memory device enables writing-in or readout of the control data stored on the memory part to be able to set any desired control data for each memory chip, and, when the memory device has the plurality of memory chips, enables separate use of each of the memory chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Toshihiro Miyamoto, Akio Takigami, Masaya Inoko, Takayoshi Suzuki, Hiroyuki Ono
  • Patent number: 8149619
    Abstract: A memory array is provided that includes a transistor having two active gates sharing a source, a drain, and a channel of the transistor. One of the active gates may be coupled to a volatile memory portion of a memory cell, such as a DRAM cell, and the other active gate may be coupled to a non-volatile memory portion, for example, a charge storage node such as a SONOS cell. Methods of operating the memory array are provided that include transferring data from the volatile memory portions to the non-volatile memory portions, transferring data from the non-volatile memory portions to the volatile memory portions, and erasing the non-volatile memory portions of a row of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard C. Kirsch, Charles Ingalls, Werner Juengling
  • Patent number: 8144514
    Abstract: The 1T floating-body DRAM cell device includes a floating body for storing information of the DRAM cell device, a source and a drain formed on respective sides of the floating body, a gate insulating layer formed on a top of the floating body, a gate electrode formed on a top of the gate insulating layer, a gate stack formed under the floating body and configured to have a charge storage node for storing electric charges, and a control electrode formed on a lower side of the gate stack or partially or completely surrounded by the gate stack. The DRAM cell device performs “write0” and “write1” operations or a read operation. The DRAM cell device performs a non-volatile program operation or a non-volatile erase operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: SNU R&DB Foundation
    Inventor: Jong-Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20120069656
    Abstract: A memory includes plurality of word lines extending in a first direction, plurality of bit lines extending in a second direction to intersect with the word lines, and a memory cell array including plurality of memory cells connected to the word lines and the bit lines. Plurality of sense amplifiers include detectors configured to detect data transmitted from the memory cells to sense nodes via the corresponding bit lines, and capacitors connected between the sense nodes and a reference potential, respectively, and are provided to be arranged in the second direction from at least a side of one ends of the bit lines. Each of k capacitors corresponding to k detectors, where k is equal to or greater than 2, has a width corresponding to widths of the k detectors, the k capacitors are arranged in the second direction, and the k detectors are arranged in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yuya SUZUKI, Toshiaki EDAHIRO
  • Publication number: 20120069652
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory having both volatile and non-volatile modes and methods of operation. A semiconductor memory cell includes a substrate, a floating body to store data in volatile memory and a floating gate or trapping layer configured to receive transfer of data stored by the volatile memory and store the data as nonvolatile memory in the floating gate or trapping layer upon interruption of power to the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 8134875
    Abstract: A data storage system includes a first circuit board, a plurality of sockets coupled to the first circuit board, an connector coupled to each of the sockets for coupling each of the sockets to external circuitry, and a plurality of memory modules, each memory module disposed within one of the sockets. The memory module includes a circuit board, an integrated circuit device having configurable blocks, DRAM devices that form parallel channels of DRAM memory and flash memory devices that form parallel channels of flash memory. The memory module also includes an interface electrically coupled to the integrated circuit device for coupling input and output between the integrated circuit device and external circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn A. Baxter
  • Patent number: 8130548
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell; a first region in electrical contact with said floating body region; a second region in electrical contact with said floating body region and spaced apart from said first region; a gate positioned between said first and second regions; and a back-bias region configured to inject charge into or extract charge out of said floating body region to maintain said state of the memory cell. Application of back bias to the back bias region offsets charge leakage out of the floating body and performs a holding operation on the cell. The cell may be a multi-level cell. Arrays of memory cells are disclosed for making a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: ZENO Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuniarto Widjaja, Zvi Or-Bach
  • Patent number: 8130576
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to improve throughput in memory devices are described. In one embodiment, memory throughput is increased via fine granularity of precharge management. In an embodiment, three separate precharge timings may be used, e.g., optimized per memory bank, per memory bank group, and/or per a memory device. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kuljit S. Bains, John B. Halbert
  • Patent number: 8120955
    Abstract: A push-pull non-volatile memory array includes memory cells with an n-channel non-volatile pull-down transistor in series with a p-channel volatile pull-up transistor. A non-volatile transistor row line is associated with each row of the array and is coupled to the control gates of each n-channel non-volatile pull-down transistor in the row. A volatile transistor row line is associated with each row of the array and is coupled to the control gates of each p-channel volatile pull-up transistor in the row with which it is associated. A column line is associated with each column in the array and is coupled to the source of each p-channel volatile pull-up transistor in the column with which it is associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: Zhigang Wang, Fethi Dhaoui, John McCollum, Vidyadhara Bellippady
  • Publication number: 20120039126
    Abstract: A method for driving a semiconductor memory device including a transistor with low leakage current between a source and a drain in an off state and capable of storing data for a long time is provided. In a matrix including a plurality of memory cells in each of which a drain of a write transistor, a gate of an element transistor, and one electrode of a capacitor are connected, a gate of the write transistor is connected to a write word line, and the other electrode of the capacitor is connected to a read word line. The amount of charge stored in the capacitor is checked by changing the potential of the read word line, and if the amount of charge has decreased beyond a predetermined amount, the memory cell is refreshed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Saito
  • Publication number: 20120033496
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory area configured in a volatile semiconductor memory, second and third memory areas configured in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and a controller which executes following processing. The controller executes a first processing for storing a plurality of data by the first unit in the first memory area, a second processing for storing data outputted from the first memory area by a first management unit in the second memory area, and a third processing for storing data outputted from the first memory area by a second management unit in the third memory area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Hirokuni YANO, Shinichi KANNO, Toshikatsu HIDA, Hidenori MATSUZAKI, Kazuya KITSUNAI, Shigehiro ASANO
  • Patent number: 8110418
    Abstract: An organic electroluminescent display device includes a substrate, gate and data lines on the substrate and crossing each other to define a pixel region, a switching element at each crossing point of the gate and data lines, a driving element coupled to the switching element, a field control electrode coupled to the driving element and overlapping a channel of the driving element, and an organic electroluminescent diode coupled to the driving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In-Jae Chung, Ki-Yong Kim, Chang-Wook Han, Kwang-Jo Hwang
  • Patent number: 8111552
    Abstract: A plurality of non-volatile storage elements on a common active layer are offset from neighbor non-volatile storage elements. This offsetting of non-volatile storage elements helps reduce interference from neighbor non-volatile storage elements. A method of manufacture is also described for fabricating the offset non-volatile storage elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Lutze, Dana Lee
  • Publication number: 20120026793
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a memory device. The memory device includes a capacitor having a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate, wherein the first and second capacitor plates are separated by an insulating layer and are formed over a first portion of a semiconductor substrate. The memory device also includes a transistor having a source region, a drain region, and a gate region, where the gate region is coupled to the second capacitor plate. The transistor is formed over a second portion of the semiconductor substrate. A well region is disposed in the first and second portions of the semiconductor substrate and has a doping-type that is opposite a doping-type of the semiconductor substrate. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dzianis Lukashevich
  • Publication number: 20120026794
    Abstract: A non-volatile DRAM cell includes a pass-gate transistor and a cell capacitor. A read operation of the non-volatile cell begins by negatively charging the cell capacitor. A cell capacitor of an associated dummy non-volatile DRAM cell is fully discharged. The pass-gate transistor is activated and if the pass-gate transistor is programmed it does not turn on and if it is erased, it turns on. Charge is shared on the complementary pair of precharged bit lines connected to the non-volatile DRAM cell and its associated Dummy non-volatile DRAM cell. A sense amplifier detects the difference in the data state stored in the pass-gate to transistor. The program and erase of the non-volatile DRAM cell is accomplished by charge injection from the associated bit line of the non-volatile DRAM cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Wingyu Lueng
  • Publication number: 20120020159
    Abstract: A non-volatile static random access memory cell and includes a bistable regenerative circuit coupled to first and second transistors and to first and second non-volatile memory cells. Methods of use include directly transferring a complementary data bit between the non-volatile memory cell and the bistable regenerative circuit. Alternatively, complementary data from the bistable regenerative circuit may be regenerated by a sense amplifier and a second bistable regenerative circuit before being transferred to non-volatile memory cells in a column of memory cells. The bistable regenerative circuit may be reset to ground potential. Applications using the non-volatile SRAM cell with direct read out from the bistable regenerative circuit include a non-volatile flip-flop or non-volatile multiplexer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Grandis, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian E. Ong
  • Patent number: 8102710
    Abstract: The invention includes a system and method of modifying a setting of a NAND flash memory device using serial peripheral interface (SPI) communication from a master to the NAND flash memory device. One embodiment generally includes sending an enable signal to a first memory circuit input, sending a clock signal to a second memory circuit input, sending a command signal synchronized to the clock signal to a third memory circuit input, sending a memory register address signal synchronized to the clock signal to the third memory circuit input, and sending a setting signal synchronized to the clock signal to the third memory circuit input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore T. Pekny, Victor Y. Tsai
  • Patent number: 8103822
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, devices and computer-readable medium for implementing a caching policy and/or a cache flushing policy in a peripheral non-volatile storage device operatively coupled to a host device. In some embodiments, data is stored to a cache area of a non-volatile memory within the peripheral non-volatile storage device in accordance with a historical rate at which other data was received by the peripheral storage device from the host device and/or a historical average time interval between successive host write requests received and/or an assessed rate at which data is required to be written to the non-volatile memory and/or a detecting by the peripheral non-volatile memory device that the host has read the storage ready/busy flag. In some embodiments, data is copied from a cache storage area of the non-volatile memory to a main storage area in accordance with the historical rate and/or the historical average time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: SanDisk IL Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Mosek, Menahem Lasser, Mark Murin
  • Publication number: 20120014180
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory having both volatile and non-volatile modes and methods of operation. A semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of memory cells each having a floating body for storing, reading and writing data as volatile memory. The device includes a floating gate or trapping layer for storing data as non-volatile memory, the device operating as volatile memory when power is applied to the device, and the device storing data from the volatile memory as non-volatile memory when power to the device is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 8094499
    Abstract: A one-time programmable device includes a controller, a protection system, a static storage element and a latch, which can be referred to as a latch-based one-time programmable (OTP) element. In one example, the static storage element includes a thin gate-oxide that acts as a resistance element, which, depending on whether its blown, sets the latch into one of two states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Smith, Myron Buer, Bassem F. Radieddine
  • Patent number: 8081525
    Abstract: A combination memory device including a static random access memory (SRAM) and a read only memory (ROM) comprises first memory cells and second memory cells arranged in rows and columns, in which each of the first memory cells includes an SRAM cell and a ROM cell and is arranged adjacent to at least one of the second memory cells, and each of the second memory cells includes an SRAM cell and does not include a ROM cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Komatsu, Ichiro Yamane
  • Publication number: 20110305085
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell, semiconductor memory devices comprising a plurality of the semiconductor memory cells, and methods of using the semiconductor memory cell and devices are described. A semiconductor memory cell includes a substrate having a first conductivity type; a first region embedded in the substrate at a first location of the substrate and having a second conductivity type; a second region embedded in the substrate at a second location of the substrate and have the second conductivity type, such that at least a portion of the substrate having the first conductivity type is located between the first and second locations and functions as a floating body to store data in volatile memory; a trapping layer positioned in between the first and second locations and above a surface of the substrate; the trapping layer comprising first and second storage locations being configured to store data as nonvolatile memory independently of one another, and a control gate positioned above the trapping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Publication number: 20110305084
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes; a first well having a first impurity concentration formed in a first region of a semiconductor substrate, a second well having a second impurity concentration different from the first impurity concentration formed in a second region of the semiconductor substrate, an access transistor with floating gate formed on the first region, and a control Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) capacitor with one electrode formed on the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Myoung-Kyu PARK
  • Publication number: 20110286270
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device including a flash memory that includes a page, wherein the page includes a plurality of memory cells connected to even bitlines and odd bitlines of the flash memory, and the memory cells are disposed in a plurality of sectors. The semiconductor memory device also includes a memory controller configured to provide the flash memory with a read address that identifies sectors to be read. The flash memory is configured to determine a sequence of even sensing and odd sensing based on the read address and perform the even sensing and the odd sensing according to the determined sequence. In addition, the flash memory is configured to sense data of at least one identified sector that includes memory cells connected to the even bitlines during the even sensing and sense data of at least one identified sector that includes memory cells connected to the odd bitlines during the odd sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Sangwon Hwang, DongKyu Youn, Jong-Nam Baek, Su Chang Jeon
  • Patent number: 8064257
    Abstract: In response to a read command received by a system interface unit for accessing a plurality of blocks of data stored in said non-volatile semiconductor memory, a controller carries out selective read operations of blocks of data to two memories from the non-volatile semiconductor memory. The controller also carries out parallel operations of data transferring a first block of data, which has already been subjected to error detection and error correction operations by an error correction unit, from one of the two memories to a host system via said system interface unit and of data transferring of a second block of data to be subjected to the error detection and error correction operation, from said non-volatile semiconductor memory to the other of the two memories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Solid State Storage Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Katayama, Takayuki Tamura, Satoshi Watatani, Kiyoshi Inoue, Shigemasa Shiota, Masashi Naito
  • Patent number: 8064255
    Abstract: A process of operating a memory array includes performing all volatile and nonvolatile operations on an nvDRAM cell array via a single data interface and using only DRAM-level signals on the data interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Scade, Stefan Guenther
  • Patent number: 8064256
    Abstract: A FIFO with data storage implemented with non-volatile third dimension memory cells is disclosed. The non-volatile third dimension memory cells can be fabricated BEOL on top of a substrate that includes FEOL fabricated active circuitry configured for data operations on the BEOL memory cells. Other components of the FIFO that require non-volatile data storage can also be implemented as registers or the like using the BEOL non-volatile third dimension memory cells so that power to the FIFO can be cycled and data is retained. The BEOL non-volatile third dimension memory cells can be configured in a single layer of memory or in multiple layers of memory. An IC that includes the FIFO can also include one or more other memory types that are emulated using the BEOL non-volatile third dimension memory cells and associated FEOL circuitry configured for data operations on those memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Norman
  • Publication number: 20110280073
    Abstract: A non-volatile static random access memory (NV-SRAM) including a latch unit, a first switch, a second switch, a first non-volatile memory (NVM), and a second NVM and an operation method thereof are provided. First terminals of the first and the second switch are respectively connected to a first and a second terminal of the latch unit. Second terminals of the first and the second switch are respectively connected to a first and a second bit line. Control terminals of the first and the second switch are connected to a word line. First terminals of the first and the second NVM are respectively connected to the first and the second terminal of the latch unit. Second terminals of the first and the second NVM are respectively connected to the first and the second bit line. Enable terminals of the first and the second NVM are connected to an enable line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Pi-Feng Chiu, Meng-Fan Chang, Ku-Feng Lin, Shyh-Shyuan Sheu
  • Patent number: 8059459
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory having both volatile and non-volatile modes and methods of operation. A semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of memory cells each having a floating body for storing, reading and writing data as volatile memory. The device includes a floating gate or trapping latter for storing data as non-volatile memory, the device operating as volatile memory when power is applied to the device, and the device storing data from the volatile memory, as non-volatile memory when power to the device is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 8059458
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a single transistor storing both volatile and nonvolatile bit charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Scade, Stefan Guenther
  • Publication number: 20110267883
    Abstract: A DRAM-like non-volatile memory array includes a cell array of non-volatile cell units with a DRAM-like cross-coupled latch-type sense amplifier. Each non-volatile cell unit has two non-volatile cell devices with respective bit lines and source lines running in parallel and laid out perpendicular to the word line associated with the non-volatile cell unit. The two non-volatile cell devices are programmed with erased and programmed threshold voltages as a pair for storing a single bit of binary data. The two bit lines of each non-volatile cell unit are coupled through a Y-decoder and a latch device to the two respective inputs of the latch-type sense amplifier which provides a large sensing margin for the cell array to operate properly even with a narrowed threshold voltage gap. Each non-volatile cell device may be a 2 T FLOTOX-based EEPROM cell, a 2 T flash cell, 11 T flash cell or a 1.5 T split-gate flash cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: PETER WUNG LEE, FU-CHANG HSU
  • Publication number: 20110267884
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory system includes: a nonvolatile semiconductor memory; and a memory controller having: a memory interface unit that inputs commands to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory and inputs or outputs data between the nonvolatile semiconductor memory; a memory that stores writing information indicating a memory cell transistor that is written the latest in each of the NAND cell units; and a processor that sets a read voltage based on the writing information to read out data from the memory cell transistors connected to a first word line; wherein a row controller is configured to set a plurality of levels of the read voltage to be applied to the first word line, with respect to one threshold for discriminating data stored in a memory cell transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: NAOFUMI ABIKO, TAKUYA FUTATSUYAMA
  • Patent number: 8050092
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for outputting data from a memory array having a plurality of non-volatile memory cells arranged into rows and columns. In accordance with various embodiments, charge is stored in a volatile memory cell connected to the memory array, and the stored charge is subsequently discharged from the volatile memory cell through a selected column. In some embodiments, the volatile memory cell is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell from a row of the cells with each DRAM cell along the row coupled to a respective column in the memory array, and each column of non-volatile memory cells comprises Flash memory cells connected in a NAND configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Chulmin Jung, Harry Hongyue Liu, Brian Lee, Yong Lu, Dadi Setiadi
  • Publication number: 20110261620
    Abstract: A non-volatile static random access memory (NVSRAM) device includes a volatile circuit and a non-volatile circuit. Under normal operations when an external power is supplied, the volatile circuit can provide fast data access. When the power supply is somehow interrupted, the non-volatile circuit can provide data backup using an inverter circuit and a non-volatile erasable programmable memory (NVEPM) circuit, thereby retaining data previously stored in the volatile circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Ping-Chia Shih, Chung-Chin Shih
  • Publication number: 20110249500
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a unit cell with a transistor and a capacitor. The transistor is disposed on a substrate having a tunneling region and a channel region and includes a floating gate crossing both the tunneling region and the channel region. The capacitor is coupled to the floating gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Jae-han Cha
  • Patent number: 8036032
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a high voltage region providing storage of a nonvolatile bit, and a low voltage region providing at least partial storage of a volatile bit. The high and low voltage regions are isolated from one another and formed by a plurality of transistors in series between a current source and a bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Scade, Stefan Guenther
  • Patent number: 8036030
    Abstract: A multi-level cell copyback program method in a non-volatile memory device is disclosed. The method includes performing a multi-level cell copyback program operation; performing selectively a first verifying operation, a second verifying operation or a third verifying operation in accordance with data stored in an MSB node of the first register or data stored in an LSB node of the second register. The first verifying operation is based on a first verifying voltage. The second verifying operation is based on a second verifying voltage higher than the first verifying voltage. And the third verifying operation is based on a third verifying voltage higher than the second verifying voltage. The copy back program operation is performed repeatedly in accordance with result of the verifying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Yong Seong, Seong Je Park
  • Patent number: 8036033
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory having both volatile and non-volatile modes and methods of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Z End Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Publication number: 20110228603
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a fusion memory including a first memory cell array formed of a NAND cell unit and a second memory cell array formed of a DRAM cell on a semiconductor substrate. The NAND cell unit is formed of a non-volatile memory cell having a two-layer gate structure in which a first gate and a second gate are stacked, and a selective transistor connecting the first and second gates of the non-volatile memory cell. The DRAM cell is formed of a cell transistor having a structure same as the structure of the selective transistor, and a MOS capacitor having a structure same as the structure of the non-volatile memory cell or the selective transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Daisaburo TAKASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20110228602
    Abstract: One of objects is to provide a nonvolatile memory device in which the occurrence of a defect in data writing is suppressed and whose area can be suppressed, or a semiconductor device including the nonvolatile memory device. A first memory portion including a nonvolatile memory element and a second memory portion (data buffer) for temporarily storing data in verifying operation in which whether the data is correctly written into the first memory portion is verified are provided. Further, the second memory portion includes a memory element and an insulated gate field effect transistor for controlling the holding of charge in the memory element; the off-state current or the leakage current of the transistor is extremely low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Saito, Shuhei Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 8018768
    Abstract: A non-volatile static random access memory (NVSRAM) device includes a volatile circuit and a non-volatile circuit. Under normal operations when an external power is supplied, the volatile circuit can provide fast data access. When the power supply is somehow interrupted, the non-volatile circuit can provide data backup using an inverter circuit and a non-volatile erasable programmable memory (NVEPM) circuit, thereby retaining data previously stored in the volatile circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ping-Chia Shih, Chung-Chin Shih